Promotion & relegation knock-off
As usual, in the early August, the Playoff took place between Bologna and Cremonese:
The 1989-1990 Serie A consisted of a single 18-team national league. The latter three placed teams withstand direct relegation, while the 15th placed is forced to the playout against the 4th Serie B club.
Ambrosiana managed to overcome the challenge posed by Andrea Doria with a resolute 2-0. Cucchi scored at the 37’ for the Milanese, and Serena sealed the affair with a late (86’) goal.
Transfer Market
Berlusconi and Trapattoni's Ambrosiana, finally "Scudettata," replaced Voeller (CF) with the other Teutonic Klinsmann (CF), for 3.2 billion Lire. It was the only major operation of the summer season, more at Trapattoni's behest, while Berlusconi would have liked to "steal" several players from the excellent Atalanta, including Nicolini (CM) and Bonacina (CB). Therefore, only the loans of Cucchi (Firenze), Ciocci (Padova), Rossini and Di Già (Parma) returned.
Milan, the defending European champions, made very few incoming movements, mainly concerned with keeping the team competitive, given the considerable financial difficulties (despite the popular shareholding). Therefore, the market focused mainly on exits, with several outright disposals, including those of Galderisi (CF) to Padova and Virdis (CF) to Lecce. The rest of the exits involved second-tier players such as Bianchi, Pinato, and Mussi. On the signings side, Milan brought Borgonovo (CF) back to base from his loan to Firenze and did the same with Massaro (LW/CF) from Capitolina. The only real, big outlay of the season was the purchase of Como's promising center forward Marco Simone (with Mannari given as a partial compensation).
After a series of quarrels between Ottavio Bianchi, President Ferlaino and General Manager Luciano Moggi, the Lombard coach left the Naples bench in favor of Alberto Bigon. Naples acquired three important players, Baroni (CB) from Lecce and Mauro (RM) from Udinese. Instead, Sardinian attacking midfielder Gianfranco Zola reject the call from Moggi, electing to accept Cagliari's offer, moving from Torres to the regional capital. On the exit front, there are few changes, except for the exit of Filardi and Romano.
Zoff's Juventus confirmed the team for the most part, although the farewells of Favero and Brio in defense, Laudrup and Altobelli in attack, and Magrin in midfield were notable. Along with them, the historic 12th man, Bodini (GK), also left. Juve bet on the two Serie B bombers, Salvatore Schillaci (CF) and Antonio De Vitis (CF/SS). As the third foreigner, the Soviet Aleijnikov (RM/CM) arrived for 4.2 billion liras. To complete the roster, arrived Fortunato (CB) from Atalanta and Bonetti (CB) from Verona.
Boskov's Doria confirms the team's structure, with the inclusion of Slovenian Katanec (DM) from Gloria Fiume, Lombardo (RW) from Cremonese, and Invernizzi (DM/CM) from Como. Instead, Bonomi (LM/CM) leaves the team in the direction of Cremonese, while Stefano Pellegrini (RB) moves to Capitolina.
Florence, which came under the aegis of new coach Giorgi, sees a roster much changed from the previous year, starting with the farewell of Stefano Borgonovo, replaced in attack by Oscar Dertycia and Monza center forward Casiraghi. In addition to the Argentine, other players such as Renato Buso, Giuseppe Volpecina, Stefano Pioli, Czech Luboš Kubík, Giuseppe Iachini, Marco Nappi, and Mario Faccenda were acquired, joined by young Primavera players such as Alberto Malusci and Giacomo Banchelli.
At Roma, after Nils Liedholm's final farewell, the Capitolina hired Luigi Radice as coach, who initially was not well liked by the fans, but soon earned high esteem. In terms of signings, German Berthold was taken from Verona, goalkeeper Giovanni Cervone, and defender Antonio Comi. The big hit of the summer, however, was Voller from Ambrosiana, while Passarella left Rome, returning to Argentina. For this season Lazio, focused again on South American players, the confirmed Uruguayan Ruben Sosa, signing the Brazilian Amarildo, and the Argentinian Troglio from Verona.
In Turin there was a turnover in the presidency between Rossi and Borsano. Vatta returned to coach the youth sector, replaced by Fascetti on the bench. The team was greatly revolutionized, with the additions of Bianchi and Mussi from Milan, Pacione from Verona, Policano from Capitolina, and Romano from Napoli. Numerous youngsters such as Sordo, Cois, Pancaro, and Venturin also joined first squad.
There was a good number of incoming South American players during the summer soccer session: particularly among the newly promoted teams, Udinese relied on Argentine nationals Balbo and Sensini, Liberty Bari acquired Brazilian João Paulo, and Genoa secured Uruguayan nationals Aguilera, Rubén Paz and Perdomo. Bologna relied on the experienced Cabrini and Giordano alongside Iliev, the first Bulgarian player to wear the jersey of an Italian club.
On the bench front, Ottavio Bianchi gave up the Naples bench to pledge himself to the Capitolina, who had to fall back, however, on Luigi Radice because of some contractual obligations that still bound Bianchi to the Neapolitan club. There were also the debuts in the top division of Marcello Lippi, called by Cesena to replace Alberto Bigon, who in turn was hired by Napoli to replace Bianchi, and Franco Scoglio at Genoa.
Top Clubs rosters for season 1989-1990 and Italian National Team roster for 1990 FIFA World Cup
The Championship
First Round
Already on the second day, on September 3, 1989, football Italy was shaken by an unexpected mourning: the Juventus flag Gaetano Scirea, at the time Dino Zoff's deputy on the Bianconeri bench, suffered a car accident that occurred in Poland, where he had gone to view the Torinese's next opponent in the UEFA Cup. Luckily, the great former player, recovered from his injuries
As for sporting happenings, Napoli obtained 7 points despite Maradona's absence: the Argentine celebrated his return on the fifth day, an occasion when the Partenopei, defeating a Firenze in which the fantasist Baggio was increasingly asserting himself, won the solitary supremacy.
In the remainder of the first round, the Azzurri's lineup encountered no obstacles: the most accredited rival turned out to be Milan, while reigning champions Ambrosiana accused a lower performance than the previous year. The Campanians defeated both Milanese in October, also holding off Juventus and Capitolina to win the winter title on December 17, 1989. In the last round, during the match between Capitolina and Bologna, a new drama came close: Lionello Manfredonia, a Capitoline defender, suffered a heart attack on the field but was rescued promptly, although he had to give up football.
Second Round
The beginning of the second half of the season showed a declining Naples. The slowdown especially favored Milan, whose hopes were refreshed after winning the February 11th direct clash. The Rossoneri's comeback materialized two weeks later, when the Azzurri fell again in the Lombard capital, this time at the hands of Ambrosiana, seeing themselves overtaken at the top of the standings. Sacchi's team held on to first place in March as well, despite two consecutive heavy defeats suffered in the big matches against Juventus and Ambrosiana.
The coupling occurred on the 31st day, when Naples tied (0-0) against Atalanta, while asking the win by forfeit due to a coin thrown from the stands that injured Alemão. Milan suffered a defeat in Bologna, allowing Naples to reach them. The chase continued, with Milan and Naples battling, until the penultimate day of the league.
On April 22nd, in the penultimate round, Milan lost their nerves in the last half hour of the away match in Verona (which resulted in as many as four red cards between the field and the bench) and ended up unexpectedly drawing 1-1 against the hosts, themselves engaged in the frantic race for salvation. This immediately recalled to the mind of older Rossoneri fans the fatal Verona of the 1972-1973 championship, that costed a Scudetto.
The Partenopei took advantage thanks to a 4-2 on the field of Bologna that returned them the lone lead with one point of advantage. The last Sunday would then award the scudetto and establish half of the relegations, Avellino was already certain of a return to Serie B: contending for permanence were Genoa, Verona, Liberty Bari, Lecce, and Cesena.
Naples took an early lead over Lazio, with a goal by Baroni, hoping too repeat the 1987 tricolor, to be then reached, amidst the disbelief of San Paolo stadium, by a late goal by Di Canio (92’), following a successful dribbling of half of the Naples’ defense. Milan won instead in a “goleada” against Bari, re-overtaking Naples and sewing its twentieth Scudetto: the Second Star.
At the bottom of the standings, Lecce and Cesena found to shortest straw, ending relegated, while Liberty Bari achieved the playout position. As Milan, Andrea Doria, and Juventus won their respective cups this Season (European Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup, and UEFA Cup), the “European zone” enlarged. Thus, all the teams qualified above the 8th place achieved an European placement, with likes of Atalanta (8th) and Bologna (7th) entering the draw for 1990-1991 UEFA Cup.
Milan's Winning Eleven
Scudetto Roll of Honor
Coppa del Re
The new format of the Coppa del Re began this season, with a scoreboard based on rankings from 1 to 64. The participants were as follows:
Round of 32
Among the surprises, Anconitana eliminated Milan (due to the large turnover foster by Sacchi) and Padova rooted out Ambrosiana.
Round of 16
Torino (10 Coppa del Re titles) and Capitolina (9 Coppa del Re titles) were the clubs with most Coppa del Re won. The game became charged of significance, since Capitolina could finally reach Torino on top for titles won. Moreover, Radice returning to Turin as an enemy left many Gialloneri supporters confused.
First leg - Stadio Filadelfia, Turin - Torino 1 - Capitolina 1
The match turned out to be very tactical, mainly because of the attentions imposed by Fascetti in the idea, ipse dixit: "let's think first about not conceding goals and then play it as it comes." The teams studied each other for a long time and a rather ugly game came out, with two flashes: the marvelous acrobatic goal by Voeller and the slalom with which Lentini overtook the Capitolina defense to deliver the ball behind a blameless Cervone.
Second leg - Stadio Olimpico, Rome - Capitolina 4 - Torino 1
Unfortunately for Torino, the return was a Tricolor solo. The Capitolina immediately took the lead with a goal in a scramble by Nela on the outcome of a corner kick. The Romans doubled three minutes later thanks to a beautiful maneuvered action finished in goal by Voeller. Just before halftime, a shot by Giannini ended in an unfortunate own goal by captain Cravero. It was 3-0 to the Capitolina. In the second half, the pride reaction of the Piedmontese led to Fuser's 3-1 with a "missile" shot from outside the box. In the final, by then already decided, there was also time for a penalty kick in favor of the Capitolina, shot by Giannini, deflected by Marchegiani and rebounded into the net by Giannini himself. In the end, Capitolina was then able to join Torino with 10 Coppa del Re titles.
Capitolina's Winning Eleven
Coppa del Re Roll of Honor
As usual, in the early August, the Playoff took place between Bologna and Cremonese:
- Cremonese – Bologna (1-1 – Limbar (CRE), Giordano (BOL))
- Bologna – Cremonese (2-1 – Dezotti (CRE), Wass (BOL), Iliev (BOL))
- Genoa, Udinese, and Liberty Bari promoted to Serie A through Serie B placement;
- Ascoli, Pescara, and Pisa relegated to Serie B through Serie A placement;
- Bologna confirmed to Serie A / Cremonese confirmed to Serie B through Playoff.
The 1989-1990 Serie A consisted of a single 18-team national league. The latter three placed teams withstand direct relegation, while the 15th placed is forced to the playout against the 4th Serie B club.
- Ambrosiana (National Champion) and Milan (incumbent Champion) to 1989-1990 European Cup;
- Andrea Doria (Cup Winners’ Cup Champion) and Lazio (Coppa del Re Semifinalist) to the 1989-1990 European Winners' Cup;
- Naples (UEFA Confederation Cup Champion), Juventus, Atalanta, Firenze, and Capitolina to 1989-1990 UEFA Confederation Cup;
- Ambrosiana and Andrea Doria to the Italian Super Cup;
- Milan, Andrea Doria, and Naples to the European Super Cup;
- Milan to the Intercontinental Cup.
- Ambrosiana
- Milan
- Naples
- Juventus
- Atalanta
- Andrea Doria
- Firenze
- Capitolina
- Avellino
- Lecce
- Cesena
- Verona
- Lazio
- Torino
- Bologna
- Ascoli
- Pescara
- Pisa
- Genoa
- Udinese
- Liberty Bari
Ambrosiana managed to overcome the challenge posed by Andrea Doria with a resolute 2-0. Cucchi scored at the 37’ for the Milanese, and Serena sealed the affair with a late (86’) goal.
Transfer Market
Berlusconi and Trapattoni's Ambrosiana, finally "Scudettata," replaced Voeller (CF) with the other Teutonic Klinsmann (CF), for 3.2 billion Lire. It was the only major operation of the summer season, more at Trapattoni's behest, while Berlusconi would have liked to "steal" several players from the excellent Atalanta, including Nicolini (CM) and Bonacina (CB). Therefore, only the loans of Cucchi (Firenze), Ciocci (Padova), Rossini and Di Già (Parma) returned.
Milan, the defending European champions, made very few incoming movements, mainly concerned with keeping the team competitive, given the considerable financial difficulties (despite the popular shareholding). Therefore, the market focused mainly on exits, with several outright disposals, including those of Galderisi (CF) to Padova and Virdis (CF) to Lecce. The rest of the exits involved second-tier players such as Bianchi, Pinato, and Mussi. On the signings side, Milan brought Borgonovo (CF) back to base from his loan to Firenze and did the same with Massaro (LW/CF) from Capitolina. The only real, big outlay of the season was the purchase of Como's promising center forward Marco Simone (with Mannari given as a partial compensation).
After a series of quarrels between Ottavio Bianchi, President Ferlaino and General Manager Luciano Moggi, the Lombard coach left the Naples bench in favor of Alberto Bigon. Naples acquired three important players, Baroni (CB) from Lecce and Mauro (RM) from Udinese. Instead, Sardinian attacking midfielder Gianfranco Zola reject the call from Moggi, electing to accept Cagliari's offer, moving from Torres to the regional capital. On the exit front, there are few changes, except for the exit of Filardi and Romano.
Zoff's Juventus confirmed the team for the most part, although the farewells of Favero and Brio in defense, Laudrup and Altobelli in attack, and Magrin in midfield were notable. Along with them, the historic 12th man, Bodini (GK), also left. Juve bet on the two Serie B bombers, Salvatore Schillaci (CF) and Antonio De Vitis (CF/SS). As the third foreigner, the Soviet Aleijnikov (RM/CM) arrived for 4.2 billion liras. To complete the roster, arrived Fortunato (CB) from Atalanta and Bonetti (CB) from Verona.
Boskov's Doria confirms the team's structure, with the inclusion of Slovenian Katanec (DM) from Gloria Fiume, Lombardo (RW) from Cremonese, and Invernizzi (DM/CM) from Como. Instead, Bonomi (LM/CM) leaves the team in the direction of Cremonese, while Stefano Pellegrini (RB) moves to Capitolina.
Florence, which came under the aegis of new coach Giorgi, sees a roster much changed from the previous year, starting with the farewell of Stefano Borgonovo, replaced in attack by Oscar Dertycia and Monza center forward Casiraghi. In addition to the Argentine, other players such as Renato Buso, Giuseppe Volpecina, Stefano Pioli, Czech Luboš Kubík, Giuseppe Iachini, Marco Nappi, and Mario Faccenda were acquired, joined by young Primavera players such as Alberto Malusci and Giacomo Banchelli.
At Roma, after Nils Liedholm's final farewell, the Capitolina hired Luigi Radice as coach, who initially was not well liked by the fans, but soon earned high esteem. In terms of signings, German Berthold was taken from Verona, goalkeeper Giovanni Cervone, and defender Antonio Comi. The big hit of the summer, however, was Voller from Ambrosiana, while Passarella left Rome, returning to Argentina. For this season Lazio, focused again on South American players, the confirmed Uruguayan Ruben Sosa, signing the Brazilian Amarildo, and the Argentinian Troglio from Verona.
In Turin there was a turnover in the presidency between Rossi and Borsano. Vatta returned to coach the youth sector, replaced by Fascetti on the bench. The team was greatly revolutionized, with the additions of Bianchi and Mussi from Milan, Pacione from Verona, Policano from Capitolina, and Romano from Napoli. Numerous youngsters such as Sordo, Cois, Pancaro, and Venturin also joined first squad.
There was a good number of incoming South American players during the summer soccer session: particularly among the newly promoted teams, Udinese relied on Argentine nationals Balbo and Sensini, Liberty Bari acquired Brazilian João Paulo, and Genoa secured Uruguayan nationals Aguilera, Rubén Paz and Perdomo. Bologna relied on the experienced Cabrini and Giordano alongside Iliev, the first Bulgarian player to wear the jersey of an Italian club.
On the bench front, Ottavio Bianchi gave up the Naples bench to pledge himself to the Capitolina, who had to fall back, however, on Luigi Radice because of some contractual obligations that still bound Bianchi to the Neapolitan club. There were also the debuts in the top division of Marcello Lippi, called by Cesena to replace Alberto Bigon, who in turn was hired by Napoli to replace Bianchi, and Franco Scoglio at Genoa.
Top Clubs rosters for season 1989-1990 and Italian National Team roster for 1990 FIFA World Cup
The Championship
First Round
Already on the second day, on September 3, 1989, football Italy was shaken by an unexpected mourning: the Juventus flag Gaetano Scirea, at the time Dino Zoff's deputy on the Bianconeri bench, suffered a car accident that occurred in Poland, where he had gone to view the Torinese's next opponent in the UEFA Cup. Luckily, the great former player, recovered from his injuries
As for sporting happenings, Napoli obtained 7 points despite Maradona's absence: the Argentine celebrated his return on the fifth day, an occasion when the Partenopei, defeating a Firenze in which the fantasist Baggio was increasingly asserting himself, won the solitary supremacy.
In the remainder of the first round, the Azzurri's lineup encountered no obstacles: the most accredited rival turned out to be Milan, while reigning champions Ambrosiana accused a lower performance than the previous year. The Campanians defeated both Milanese in October, also holding off Juventus and Capitolina to win the winter title on December 17, 1989. In the last round, during the match between Capitolina and Bologna, a new drama came close: Lionello Manfredonia, a Capitoline defender, suffered a heart attack on the field but was rescued promptly, although he had to give up football.
Second Round
The beginning of the second half of the season showed a declining Naples. The slowdown especially favored Milan, whose hopes were refreshed after winning the February 11th direct clash. The Rossoneri's comeback materialized two weeks later, when the Azzurri fell again in the Lombard capital, this time at the hands of Ambrosiana, seeing themselves overtaken at the top of the standings. Sacchi's team held on to first place in March as well, despite two consecutive heavy defeats suffered in the big matches against Juventus and Ambrosiana.
The coupling occurred on the 31st day, when Naples tied (0-0) against Atalanta, while asking the win by forfeit due to a coin thrown from the stands that injured Alemão. Milan suffered a defeat in Bologna, allowing Naples to reach them. The chase continued, with Milan and Naples battling, until the penultimate day of the league.
On April 22nd, in the penultimate round, Milan lost their nerves in the last half hour of the away match in Verona (which resulted in as many as four red cards between the field and the bench) and ended up unexpectedly drawing 1-1 against the hosts, themselves engaged in the frantic race for salvation. This immediately recalled to the mind of older Rossoneri fans the fatal Verona of the 1972-1973 championship, that costed a Scudetto.
The Partenopei took advantage thanks to a 4-2 on the field of Bologna that returned them the lone lead with one point of advantage. The last Sunday would then award the scudetto and establish half of the relegations, Avellino was already certain of a return to Serie B: contending for permanence were Genoa, Verona, Liberty Bari, Lecce, and Cesena.
Naples took an early lead over Lazio, with a goal by Baroni, hoping too repeat the 1987 tricolor, to be then reached, amidst the disbelief of San Paolo stadium, by a late goal by Di Canio (92’), following a successful dribbling of half of the Naples’ defense. Milan won instead in a “goleada” against Bari, re-overtaking Naples and sewing its twentieth Scudetto: the Second Star.
At the bottom of the standings, Lecce and Cesena found to shortest straw, ending relegated, while Liberty Bari achieved the playout position. As Milan, Andrea Doria, and Juventus won their respective cups this Season (European Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup, and UEFA Cup), the “European zone” enlarged. Thus, all the teams qualified above the 8th place achieved an European placement, with likes of Atalanta (8th) and Bologna (7th) entering the draw for 1990-1991 UEFA Cup.
Milan's Winning Eleven
Scudetto Roll of Honor
Coppa del Re
The new format of the Coppa del Re began this season, with a scoreboard based on rankings from 1 to 64. The participants were as follows:
- 18 Serie A teams
- 20 Serie B teams
- 20 Serie C teams
- 6 Serie D teams (4 winners of respective rounds + 2 winners of a playout phase among the second placed in each round)
Round of 32
Among the surprises, Anconitana eliminated Milan (due to the large turnover foster by Sacchi) and Padova rooted out Ambrosiana.
Round of 16
- Pescara defeated Padova with a double 1-0 (Traini's goal at home and Rizzolo's away)
- Capitolina tied in Cosenza and went on to win 2-1 at home (Giannini and Rizzitelli, Padovano for the Calabrians
- Andrea Doria smashed Cesena away 5-1 (Vialli, Vialli, Mancini, Munoz, and Pari, Agostini's consolation goal), and won 1-0 at home (Breda)
- Lazio surprisingly eliminated Juventus after a tie by 1-1 in Rome (Sosa for the Romans and Alejnikov for the Torinese) and an away win by 0-2 (Troglio, Bergodi)
- Torino eliminated Naples with a 1-1 tie away (Lentini for the hosts and Carnevale for the guests) and a home win by 1-0 (Skoro)
- Udinese eliminated Atalanta thanks to their home win by 1-0 (Balbo) and a scoreless game in Bergamo
- Reggina managed to oust Firenze, with a corsair win in Florence by 0-1 (Paciocco)
- Pisa eliminated Anconitana with a home win by 2-0 (Cuoghi and Incocciati)
- Capitolina secured the Semifinals with a double 1-0 win against Pescara - Voeller in Pescara and Di Mauro in Rome the scorers
- Doria passed its turn eliminating Lazio after a scoreless game in Rome with a 3-0 win in Genoa (Salsano, Lombardo, and Mancini)
- Torino overcame Udinese with a 3-1 away win (Skoro, Muller, Fuser for the Torinese, Sensini for the Friulians) and losing the home game 0-1 (Balbo)
- Reggina achieved another surprise, eliminating Pisa with a win by 1-0 in Tuscany (Simonini)
- Andrea Doria defeated Capitolina 0-1 in Rome thanks to a late Lombardo goal, to be then suffer a thunderous defeat at home by 1-3 (Voeller, Rizzitelli, and Desideri for the Romans, Pellegrini for the Dorians) that brought the Tricolors to the Finals.
- Torino quashed Reggina in Calabria with a 0-3 win (Lentini, Muller, Sordo), losing the home game 0-1 (Simonini), reaching the Coppa del Re Finals.
Torino (10 Coppa del Re titles) and Capitolina (9 Coppa del Re titles) were the clubs with most Coppa del Re won. The game became charged of significance, since Capitolina could finally reach Torino on top for titles won. Moreover, Radice returning to Turin as an enemy left many Gialloneri supporters confused.
First leg - Stadio Filadelfia, Turin - Torino 1 - Capitolina 1
The match turned out to be very tactical, mainly because of the attentions imposed by Fascetti in the idea, ipse dixit: "let's think first about not conceding goals and then play it as it comes." The teams studied each other for a long time and a rather ugly game came out, with two flashes: the marvelous acrobatic goal by Voeller and the slalom with which Lentini overtook the Capitolina defense to deliver the ball behind a blameless Cervone.
Second leg - Stadio Olimpico, Rome - Capitolina 4 - Torino 1
Unfortunately for Torino, the return was a Tricolor solo. The Capitolina immediately took the lead with a goal in a scramble by Nela on the outcome of a corner kick. The Romans doubled three minutes later thanks to a beautiful maneuvered action finished in goal by Voeller. Just before halftime, a shot by Giannini ended in an unfortunate own goal by captain Cravero. It was 3-0 to the Capitolina. In the second half, the pride reaction of the Piedmontese led to Fuser's 3-1 with a "missile" shot from outside the box. In the final, by then already decided, there was also time for a penalty kick in favor of the Capitolina, shot by Giannini, deflected by Marchegiani and rebounded into the net by Giannini himself. In the end, Capitolina was then able to join Torino with 10 Coppa del Re titles.
Capitolina's Winning Eleven
Coppa del Re Roll of Honor
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